Living Well Magazine

Danielle Moss

When I took a chance and e-mailed the author of my favorite blog, Danielle Moss, to be featured in Style Files, I was astounded that she replied, let alone agreed to do it.

Danielle is a Chicago-based graphic designer, photographer and blogger with a new website launching in February. Her lifestyle blog, Breakfast at Toast, is a collection of relatable posts on shopping, design, food, travel and more. Danielle includes personal photographs of trips, her inspirations and of course, her rescue dog Buddy. The most appealing part; the blog isn’t a compilation of self portraits in different outfits, Breakfast at Toast offers something stylish, fresh and fun to read.

If you asked Danielle to describe her style, she would say, “simple, chic and neutral.” Bright colors and bold prints may catch her eye from time to time, but Danielle prefers effortless and elegant. Her perfect shopping day; getting guidance from her favorite personal stylist, Liz Schneider, while perusing the racks with her friend and business partner, Alaina Kaczmarski.

Take a peek at Danielle’s blog, breakfastattoast.com, and remember her new website, theeverygirl.com, launches in February!

1. What inspires you, in terms of fashion?
I find lots of inspiration from fashion bloggers, although fashion is not my thing. I tend to stick to basics and am slowly working on venturing out with some color and patterns. Like everyone else, I love Olivia Palermo’s style. I love a gorgeous handbag, stiletto or cozy cashmere sweater. Vince is one of my favorites that I will splurge on every so often. Lots of neutrals!
2. What inspires you, in terms of design?
Kelly Wearstler, Vicente Wolf, Kelly Hoppen and many others. Nancy Meyers has the most beautiful set decoration! The homes from It’s Complicated, The Holiday and Something’s Gotta Give are some of my favorites. I love reading Elle Décor, fashion/design books and blogs as well.
3. Where are your favorite shopping spots?
I’ll shop anywhere. I love big department stores (like Bloomingdales) and smaller boutiques as well. Working from home, I spend most of my days in a t-shirt and Lululemon pants. Not so stylish. But when I do go out, I am often found in skinny jeans and flats.
4. What trends are you most looking forward to this season?
I love all the bright colors out there, leopard-print and sequins. My orange coat is my favorite purchase this year. I also recently bought leopard flats and a leopard belt. While I love these bright colors, you will almost always find me in something neutral. Grey is my favorite color.
5. Do you look for a bargain or is price not an issue if you really love it?
I love a bargain! If you find something you love and can afford it, I say go for it. Do not go into debt over a pair of shoes or a handbag. I do not buy what I cannot afford. Period.
6. What is currently in your handbag?
What isn’t in my handbag! Wallet and coin purse, iPhone, chanel “boy” lipstick, Flowerbomb roll on, Viva la Juicy roll on, mac lip gloss, Burts Bees lip balm, envirosaks reusable bag, and Perfekt Skin skin perfection gel for touch ups.
7. How does beauty and fitness fit in to your personal style?
I am a minimalist when it comes to makeup so that isn’t something I go wild with. I finally purchased a bright lipstick in early December. As far as fitness is concerned, I try to work out Monday thru Friday.
8.      Finish the following sentences:
a. When I’m about to go out with my girlfriends I throw on jeans, a top, necklace, flats (Tory Burch Eddie flats are my favorites) and a sweater. These days -- I am usually wearing a coat, boots, gloves and a scarf or snood. It is freezing in Chicago!
b.      When I have a day off from work, I have no idea what I would do. It is rare that I have a day off ( i.e. it never happens -- even on the weekends.) I do enjoy the occasional lazy Sunday morning in bed with my iPad.
c.       If I had endless amounts of money I would donate money to several animal rescue organizations, start my own animal rescue and donate to organizations helping orphaned children around the world. I would also buy a home, a car, wallpaper a room or two, remodel a kitchen and do a little shopping.
d.      My favorite brand of makeup: Toss-up between Chanel and Bobbi Brown.
e.       People would be surprised to know that Alaina Kaczmarski and I have been business partners since August, spending most weeknights and weekends working on The Everygirl (theeverygirl.com) which will launch in February 2012.
f.     My favorite outfit that I ever wore is my orange coat and Vince sweater in Central Park. I really love that coat and was told I looked “Parisian” by a man at Bloomingdales. I can’t think of a better compliment.
9.      What are your favorite style magazines and blogs?
I love Kelly Framel of The Glamourai. She has a killer sense of style. My other favorites can be found on my blog under “blogs I love”.
10.  What shopping secrets, strategies and or recommendations can you share with the readers?
Don’t buy something because it’s on sale. Buy something you love because it’s on sale. And wait for sales! It is rare that I buy anything full price at Bloomingdales. I wait until the store has a big 20-25% off sale.